Manchester City are reportedly considering using either Rico Lewis or Oscar Bobb as leverage in their pursuit of Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.

The reigning champions may offer a loan deal for one of these young talents to the Magpies next season, if it aids them in securing Guimaraes’ signature.

Newcastle have set a hefty £100million price tag on their Brazilian midfielder, who is also on Arsenal’s radar, but City are not willing to meet this valuation.

They believe Guimaraes, 26, is worth closer to £80m, which has currently put any move to bring the South American to the Etihad on hold.

However, Newcastle’s interest in Lewis and Bobb could be the key to breaking this deadlock, according to the Sunday Star.

City have made it clear that neither player is up for sale this summer, viewing both Lewis, 19, and Bobb, 21, as crucial to the club’s long-term plans.

In the short term, however, Pep Guardiola might be willing to part with one of them in his quest to bolster his central midfield ahead of next season’s attempt at an unprecedented fifth consecutive title.

Lewis made a splash in the City first team during the 2022-23 Treble-winning season, starting 10 Premier League matches.

But the versatile England international, capable of playing at full-back or in an inverted midfield role, only started eight games last season.

Norwegian winger Bobb, on the other hand, saw less action, being used primarily as a substitute after being promoted from the Under-23s to the senior squad.